Before you apply for any official document in the UAE, it helps to know two things: how much it will cost and how long it will take. This guide to official certificate fees and processing times gives you realistic ranges for the most common certificates so you can plan ahead — with the reminder that fees change, so always confirm the current figure on the official portal before you pay.
Below you will find typical fee ranges and processing times for birth, marriage, and degree certificates, police clearance and good conduct certificates, salary certificates, attestation, and related documents — plus tips for speeding things up and avoiding surprise costs.
Quick Answer
Official certificate fees and processing times in the UAE depend on the document. Most standard certificate reissues (birth, marriage) typically cost between AED 50 and AED 200 and take 2–5 working days online. Police clearance and good conduct certificates usually cost around AED 100–300 and are often issued within 24–48 hours. Attestation fees typically range from AED 150 to AED 2,000+ depending on the document and the countries involved. Degree reissues from universities vary most, often taking 1–4 weeks. Figures below are typical ranges — always verify current fees on the issuing authority’s official website or app.
Official Certificate Fees and Processing Times at a Glance
| Certificate / Document | Typical Fee Range | Typical Processing Time | Issuing Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate (duplicate) | AED 50–100 | 2–5 working days | MOHAP / emirate health authority |
| Marriage certificate (duplicate) | AED 100–200 | 2–7 working days | Courts (Dubai Courts, AD Judicial Dept.) |
| Death certificate (duplicate) | AED 50–100 | 2–5 working days | Health authority / municipality |
| Police clearance certificate | AED 100–220 | 24–48 hours (online) | UAE Police / MOI |
| Good conduct certificate | AED 100–300 | 1–5 working days | Dubai Police / MOI |
| Degree certificate (duplicate) | AED 100–500+ | 1–4 weeks | Awarding university |
| Salary certificate | Usually free / nominal | 1–3 working days | Employer |
| Document attestation (MOFA) | AED 150–750 per document | 1–3 working days | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Trade licence copy | AED 100–300 | 1–3 working days | DED of the emirate |
These are indicative ranges based on commonly published fees. Some authorities charge extra for urgent processing, courier delivery, or documents in a second language. See our guide on document attestation fees for a deeper breakdown of attestation costs.
Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates
Civil-status certificates are among the cheapest and fastest to obtain. A duplicate birth certificate through MOHAP channels typically costs under AED 100 and is issued within a few working days when you apply online with your Emirates ID and the original registration details. Marriage certificate duplicates from the courts usually fall in the AED 100–200 range, with processing of up to a week depending on the court and how easily the original record is located.
One thing that can slow these down: records registered many years ago may be archived on paper rather than in digital systems. If that applies to you, apply in person if possible and allow extra time. If you need the certificate for use outside the UAE, budget for attestation fees and time on top — see how long attestation takes for realistic timelines.
Police Clearance and Good Conduct Certificates
Police clearance certificates are one of the most frequently requested documents in the UAE — needed for employment, immigration, and visa applications in other countries. The good news is they are also among the fastest: online applications through police apps are often processed within 24–48 hours for residents with clean records.
Fees typically sit in the AED 100–300 range depending on the emirate, the applicant’s status (inside or outside the UAE), and the language of the certificate. Certificates in English sometimes cost slightly more than Arabic ones. Our detailed guides on the police clearance certificate and the good conduct certificate cover the exact application steps for each.
Academic and Degree Certificates
Universities set their own fees and timelines, so this category varies the most. A duplicate degree from a UAE university might cost anywhere from around AED 100 to AED 500 or more, and processing commonly takes one to four weeks because the request passes through the registrar’s office and verification checks.
Factor in attestation if the degree will be used for employment or immigration: academic documents often need attestation by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and sometimes the embassy of the destination country. Academic certificate attestation guides walk through that chain step by step.
Attestation Fees and Timelines
Attestation is where costs add up, because most documents pass through multiple steps — for example, the issuing authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and possibly a foreign embassy. MOFA attestation in the UAE typically costs around AED 150 per document for standard personal documents, with commercial documents costing more. Embassy attestation fees vary by country and can run into several hundred dirhams per document.
Timeline-wise, each attestation step usually takes 1–3 working days, so a document needing three steps can take one to two weeks end to end. Typing centres and attestation service providers can handle the running around for you, but they add their own service charges — get a written quote before handing over your documents.
What Affects the Cost and Speed
- Online vs in person: online applications are usually cheaper (no typing-centre fees) and faster, with instant payment and tracking.
- Urgent processing: some authorities offer express services at a premium. Useful when a visa deadline is looming.
- Translation: documents issued in Arabic often need legal translation before use in English-language processes — budget around AED 60–100 per page and an extra day or two.
- Courier and delivery: home delivery of certificates typically adds a courier fee; collection in person is free.
- Multiple copies: if you need several certified copies, ask for them in one application — the per-copy cost is usually lower than filing separate requests later.
- Service-centre markups: typing centres and agents charge service fees on top of official fees. They are convenient, but compare the total against doing it yourself online.
How to Check Current Fees Before You Apply
Because fees are revised periodically, treat every figure in this guide as a planning estimate, not a quote. To confirm:
- Visit the issuing authority’s official website or app (TAMM for Abu Dhabi services, Dubai Courts for Dubai court documents, MOHAP for health-related certificates, or the u.ae portal for federal service links).
- Look for the service’s fee schedule or “service fees” section — most UAE government portals publish these clearly.
- Check whether the fee differs for online vs in-person applications, and for UAE nationals vs residents vs applicants abroad.
- Keep your payment receipt and application reference number until the certificate is in your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does a duplicate birth certificate cost in the UAE?
Typically under AED 100 through MOHAP or the emirate’s health authority, with processing of a few working days. Confirm the current fee on the authority’s website before applying, as fees are updated periodically.
How long does it take to get a police clearance certificate?
Online applications are often completed within 24–48 hours for applicants with clean records. In-person applications or cases requiring additional checks can take longer. Fees are typically in the AED 100–300 range.
Why do attestation costs vary so much?
Because attestation is a chain of steps, and each step has its own fee — the issuing authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the destination country’s embassy may all charge separately. Commercial documents and urgent processing cost more than standard personal documents.
Are certificate fees the same in every emirate?
No. Each emirate’s authorities set their own fees, so a marriage certificate duplicate in Dubai may cost a different amount than one in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah. Federal services (like MOFA attestation) charge uniformly.
Can I get a refund if my application is rejected?
Generally, government service fees in the UAE are non-refundable once paid, even if the application is rejected. This is another reason to double-check requirements — including the documents needed for a duplicate certificate — before submitting.
Do I pay extra for an English version of a certificate?
Sometimes. Some authorities issue bilingual certificates at no extra cost; others charge a separate fee for the English version or require you to get a legal translation done privately. Check with the issuing authority.
The Bottom Line
Most official certificates in the UAE are affordable and reasonably quick to obtain — standard duplicates typically cost AED 50–300 and arrive within days when you apply online. The costs that catch people off guard are the add-ons: attestation chains, translations, urgent processing, and service-centre markups. Plan for those, confirm current fees on the official portal before you pay, and keep your receipts until the document is in your hands.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.